Honest Question

As a current midshipman I find myself saying "I hate this [expletive] place" every. single. day.

Our infrastructure is without a doubt the worst of the five, and also the worst I've witnessed of any federal installation in the United States. I have lost countless friends to the attrition and dated, grueling academics as well as the academic pace. I have sacrificed countless summer vacations/time off that other academies get simply because I could not take a pause from the place. Kings Point is my life, my job, and my hobby. Kings Point has the absolute minimum in terms of recognition in the real world (anything not maritime related.) I have been confused for an Annapolis student more times than I can remember and when I state that I am from Kings Point and not Annapolis I am usually told "Don't tell people that." The superficial things are also below average with no signs of improving. Hell they gave the campus security guards a new guard shack before giving their own students hot water, mold-free rooms, and edible dining hall food.

I have been treated like garbage on both the ships I have been on as a result of being from Kings Point, this place is not as revered at sea as many on these forums would have you believe.

BUT...

To answer the question above "Why don't you leave?"

This place is miserable and equivalent to a dungeon of pain and despair. I have more bad days than good days at this point, but the success I am going to feel in a year and a half walking through the gate for the last time with a job I EARNED with my own hard work will be delectable and exquisite. Finishing this hell and leaving it behind will be a feeling that I do not have the words to describe anymore. Dealing with the lack of positive identity this school has like USNA/USMA/USCGA/USAFA has made me a more mentally proud person as I don't give a **** who recognizes my school and it's accomplishments.

If I had the chance to come here again, I absolutely would. I'm suffering and I'm putting out as a result. I have become a much more capable, resilient, resourceful, and badass person than I ever would have if I had pursued the other academies or my other state school offers. The suffering builds character, and I really like the character I am shaping in to due to the disrepair of the institution.

Finis Coronat Opus
 
Yikes! Not exactly a statement Admissions is going to be printing any time soon, but you sound motivated and strong. You do you: stay proud, keep your head up and your feet moving. Your actions will speak well of the academy even if your words don't quite line up.
 
ripstick said:
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Bravo to you. Disregard those who chastise your honesty. You suffered, you chose, you survived, you continued to choose your path, you found a way. You made your goal a reality. Props to you. And those who succeed in their chosen path.

Often, post our son applying to SAs I have remarked on the rigorous academic schedule that USMMA embodies. The schedule is crazy. The rigor is real. The smaller student body can mean less resources. Kudos to those who thrive.
 
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ripstick said:
As a current midshipman I find myself saying "I hate this [expletive] place" every. single. day.

Our infrastructure is without a doubt the worst of the five, and also the worst I've witnessed of any federal installation in the United States. I have lost countless friends to the attrition and dated, grueling academics as well as the academic pace. I have sacrificed countless summer vacations/time off that other academies get simply because I could not take a pause from the place. Kings Point is my life, my job, and my hobby. Kings Point has the absolute minimum in terms of recognition in the real world (anything not maritime related.) I have been confused for an Annapolis student more times than I can remember and when I state that I am from Kings Point and not Annapolis I am usually told "Don't tell people that." The superficial things are also below average with no signs of improving. Hell they gave the campus security guards a new guard shack before giving their own students hot water, mold-free rooms, and edible dining hall food.

I have been treated like garbage on both the ships I have been on as a result of being from Kings Point, this place is not as revered at sea as many on these forums would have you believe.

BUT...

To answer the question above "Why don't you leave?"

This place is miserable and equivalent to a dungeon of pain and despair. I have more bad days than good days at this point, but the success I am going to feel in a year and a half walking through the gate for the last time with a job I EARNED with my own hard work will be delectable and exquisite. Finishing this hell and leaving it behind will be a feeling that I do not have the words to describe anymore. Dealing with the lack of positive identity this school has like USNA/USMA/USCGA/USAFA has made me a more mentally proud person as I don't give a **** who recognizes my school and it's accomplishments.

If I had the chance to come here again, I absolutely would. I'm suffering and I'm putting out as a result. I have become a much more capable, resilient, resourceful, and badass person than I ever would have if I had pursued the other academies or my other state school offers. The suffering builds character, and I really like the character I am shaping in to due to the disrepair of the institution.

Finis Coronat Opus
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Yup. I see little has changed, then since the 70s. . .except for AC. . . .
 
ripstick said:
This place is miserable and equivalent to a dungeon of pain and despair. I have more bad days than good days at this point, but the success I am going to feel in a year and a half walking through the gate for the last time with a job I EARNED with my own hard work will be delectable and exquisite. Finishing this hell and leaving it behind will be a feeling that I do not have the words to describe anymore.
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As my son walked the stage at graduation many years ago, I was struck that his expression was more one of relief than joy. He looked like he had just been paroled.
 
cmakin said:
When meeting another alumni, the common question is, "When did you get out?"
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For some reason a lot of "my prison experience" videos have been popping up in my social media feeds. Yesterday I came to the realization that the KP experience was likely designed by someone who was previously a prison warden.
 
Are KP mids able to do an exchange semester with other SAs, or does their schedule preclude doing so? It would be informative to hear from someone who experienced USMMA and also another SA.
 
franknd said:
Are KP mids able to do an exchange semester with other SAs, or does their schedule preclude doing so? It would be informative to hear from someone who experienced USMMA and also another SA.
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There are Service Academy Exchange Programs (SAEP) at other academies but when you look at the specifics they do not seem to list Kings Point. There is a general discussion at Service Academy exchange programs?

As an example, at SAEP Annapolis. you'll the program at Annapolis.
 
franknd said:
Are KP mids able to do an exchange semester with other SAs, or does their schedule preclude doing so? It would be informative to hear from someone who experienced USMMA and also another SA.
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I was under the impression that it is not an option due to the differences in Academic schedules. The then quarter, now trimester system when combined with sea year does not align well with the other SAs academics.

Kings Point ... the easiest Academy to get into, the hardest to stay at.
 
franknd said:
Are KP mids able to do an exchange semester with other SAs, or does their schedule preclude doing so? It would be informative to hear from someone who experienced USMMA and also another SA.
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my bestie had one attend USNA, and another attend USMMA. We had coffee a couple weeks ago, and I asked her this very question from a parents (and discussions with her kids) standpoint. It was interesting!
 
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justdoit19 said:
my bestie had one attend USNA, and another attend USMMA. We had coffee a couple weeks ago, and I asked her this very question from a parents (and discussions with her kids) standpoint. It was interesting!
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May I ask what she said?
 
This thread has me really wanting my DS to get his appointment here! He grew up on the sea and has worked and lived around various marine vessels all his life. I am so excited that he turned in his application. Now we wait!
 
franknd said:
May I ask what she said?
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Both boys had different goals. So it’s kind of hard to compare their education. They are both VERY happy.

The biggest difference was she really noticed the facilities needed a lot of work and repair. Her son said how nice it would be get a large influx of cash and fix things up. Their athletic facilities included.

Both her boys did very well. And are very happy. Her USMMA one never hated on the place. Both had similar thoughts about their institutions (it’s hard, embrace the suck, put your head down and get through it). Neither dwell on the negatives.

The same camaraderie. Same excellent education. Same fantastic opportunities. USMMA facilitates joining different communities, which was a pretty exciting piece of his journey.
 
KPEngineer said:
Sea year is a mixed bag for everyone. There are plenty who choose not to return to school based on their sea year experience.
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And for varying reasons. For some, it is a deal killer. Others, preferred to stay at sea in an unlicensed position and never come back.
 
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